AIBU to think sudden joint pain and clicking during puberty isn’t normal?

[DelilahEATS]

I have an older son and this didn’t happen so am very worried
6 months of 12 year old DS complaining of joints being sore / locking out of place
Starting with ankles followed by wrists and lately the back

Constant clicking noises which are unbearable to listen to as he manipulates the joints back into place

GP unconcerned but blood tests and MRI showed nothing

GP doesn’t think a referral to rheumatology is needed -
I’ve asked for a senior doctor to call me

They are going to refer to a general paediatrician to decide the next step

God knows how long this will take

Op, I understand how you feel and see parents going through similar to you. You are obviously a very caring parent who just what're to do the best by her kid.
Wish I could assess and treat and put your mind at ease!
Push for paediatric physio- depending on where you are and your local trust it might be possible for gp to refer you directly.
I would bet that it's most likely to be rapid growth.

I'm saying all this kindly as I know sometimes text can come across differently to how it is meant.

Clicking, whilst horrid to listen to is normal and usually harmless.

He is very likely not experiencing joint dislocation although it can sometimes feel like that if there is clicking and popping. True dislocation is usually traumatic, very painful and accompanied by plenty of swelling.

If MRI scan and bloods ok I think you can be fairly reassured that you are not missing anything nasty.

As I have said, during rapid growth, bones grow a lot quicker than soft tissue which results in a change in the biomechanics generally. This can lead to pain, clicking, loss of coordination/clumsiness, and it can all be quite alarming.

You are doing the right thing in making sure it gets investigated thoroughly of course.
But just wanted to reassure you whilst you wait

I would get your GP to check him out for hyper mobility and Eds.

I would bet that it's most likely to be rapid growth.

The excruciating pain I was in preventing me from sleeping for hours every night for several years when I was a child was also said to be "growing pains". Turned out much later to be Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

@mauveskies
As I said, it's most likely. And I also said that the op is doing the right thing by getting it investigated.

I'm sorry for you though, that's horrible. Hope it had no lasting effects and you are well now

Hope it had no lasting effects and you are well now

It did, later in life, and no.

Growing pains.

Exercise, proper stretching, physical therapy.
Good nutrition magnesium, potassium, clacium, and hydration.

My 12 year old has this currently. Mainly knees ankle and heels. Physio said it was common

Have you any idea how life altering Rheumatoid Arthritis can be 😳😳😳😳😳

What an twee comment.

I apologise for any offence caused to people suffering from the effects of long term health conditions.

Of course I understand how rheumatoid arthritis affects people.

I also know that juvenile idiopathic arthritis (which is a different condition) can resolve itself or be outgrown with the right management, hence why I was hoping that was the case for the pp.

@physwizz

I'm sorry for being so snippy, @physwizz

I'm super sensitive because of so many of my DDs situations but shouldn't have taken it out on you xx

I have hypermobility op and for me it's genetic as my mum has it too, did you or your son's father ever have anything similar? Unfortunately I wasn't properly aware of my condition till my mid 20s, went to GP about clicking joints and pain as a teenager but was always fobbed of with growing pains

Hi again,
Thank you for all the replies.
Of course I am hoping this is a growing issue rather than anything else and will do the physio recommended and have signed him up for a block oh hydrotherapy too to see if that’s helpful at all

I will see what the paed comes back with as I can’t find a rheumatologist who is happy to see him without a GP referral and currently the GP doesn’t feel that’s necessary so I’m a little stuck to be honest

He is back to sleeping in bed with me as the pain is waking him up most nights so at least if he’s near it’s quicker to settle him back but far from ideal of course

Sorry to the above comment, no, no hypermobility anywhere in either myself or his dads family.

@CantFindTheBeat
No worries at all.

Op I know it's not helpful but I just wanted to say you sound like a great mum.
My DS ankle clicks so loudly you can hear him coming and shoulder clicks too. A while ago he part dislocated the shoulder and it doesn't feel like it will ever get better 100%. Doctor and physio didn't seem much help.
He also had osgood schlatter under knee when younger and lots of hamstring pulls. He is a sporty kid too which obv makes them prone more to this stuff.
Just to possibly help a little for now have you looked at his diet?
Could you get more anti inflammatory foods in and make sure he is getting all calcium and vitamins etc? Cod liver oil tablets or anything like that?

It's not at all unusual at his age. I remember dislocating my knee a few times and once my shoulder when I was thirteen to fourteen. It doesn't happen now.